Large Library of Full Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical New Releases

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Title: Whirlpool

Author: Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

Narrator: Nancy Batko

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-27-16

Publisher: Emerge Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

1923: Niagara Falls, Canada. Evangeline Murray, a young widow from Ohio, is recruited by the Women's Freedom Movement to recreate the daring 1910 feat of Annie Edson Taylor, the first person in recorded history to plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive. Evangeline believes that the stunt will bring her fame and fortune, and freedom from her late husband's gambling debts.

Joshua McClaren, an enigmatic, battle-scarred veteran of World War One, reluctantly agrees to launch the headstrong Evangeline. Joshua has seen hundreds of bodies surface in the whirlpool below the falls, and has no wish to see the charming Mrs. Murray suffer the same fate. Before the barrel can be launched, Joshua and Evangeline will each confront their own demons. Hearts will be broken, painful secrets will be revealed, and the Niagara River will claim two more lives.

Members Reviews:

A Romance Wrapped up in Woman vs. Nature

Summary: Its the first half of the 1920s and the womens movement pins its hopes and dreams on a silly woman named Evangeline Murray who wants to be rich and famous. Her plan: go over Niagra Falls in a barrel. Shes not in it alone. Shes helped by two of the movers and shakers of the womens movement along with a Canadian woman and the ladys grumpy brother.

Additional Comments:

- The characters are irksome much of the time. In that sense, its realistic. (Theyre not perfect.) Certain ones are selfish, greedy, unscrupulous, shallow, or some combination thereof. There are aspects of bravery and heroism on display as well.

- The romance thread was intriguing but also frustrating as the author went way out of her way to make sure messages were either cryptic or missed altogether.

- I enjoyed Maddies flashback to the war.

- The flashbacks in general were very well handled and seamlessly woven into the narrative.

- Favorite character = Danny most of the time, but there one a moment or two even he needed a good smack.

- I sort of wish there were some redeeming characteristics for Evangelines sons.

- Narration was very good.

- Narrative as a whole was decent. It was easy to follow as there were tags for whose perspective the pov would be limited to at any given moment.

- River scene at the end was well done.

Conclusion: A surprisingly simple story (woman wants to ride the Falls in a barrel) made complex by the multitude of human interactions and stored up emotions (Josh vs river, Evangeline vs her benefactors, her benefactors vs those who would stop her, etc).

A wonderful time period piece

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it's a great story that moves forward without being forced ... it was great to listen to while I worked around the house.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was for the most part wonderfully done. Nancy's voice was soothing and well-paced.

Who was the most memorable character of Whirlpool and why?

The most memorable character for me was Iris, due to her unexpected character development. Her role in the story played a much larger role than initially anticipated and her character rounded out beautifully.

Any additional comments?

I'm normally not much of a period-time-piece person, but I've read another book from this author, Afric, and loved it so I wanted to give this a chance. I am so glad I did.

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Title: A Whisper of Southern Lights

Author: Tim Lebbon

Narrator: Scott Sowers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-10-16

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Death and destruction follow the demon wherever he treads, and Gabriel is rarely far behind, waiting for his chance to extinguish the creature known as Temple once and for all.

But in Singapore during the Second World War, a lone soldier in possession of a shattering secret gets caught up in their battle. The knowledge he holds could change the course of their ancient conflict...and the fate of the world.

A Whisper of Southern Lights is a standalone tale in the Assassins series by Tim Lebbon.

Critic Reviews:

"

A Whisper of Southern Lights is full of a beautiful melancholy that nobody does better than Lebbon. A tale of immortals engaged in a blood-spattered, centuries-old cat-and-mouse game.... Read it!" (Christopher Golden,

New York Times number-one best-selling author of

Dead Ringers and

Snowblind)

Members Reviews:

Another Good Short from Tim Lebbon

I'm really getting into the Assassin short tales. In this one, a sequel to Pieces of Hate, the man named Gabriel chases the demon called Temple, hell bent on revenge. The demon killed his family and Gabriel is cursed to pursue him through the centuries. This particular story is set in World War Two. It was an interesting setting change and one advantage this series has is the frequent ability to mix up setting because the plot takes place over such a large chunk of time. I'll be looking forward to the next one.

Great Entry - I Now Feel Much More Invested In The Assassins Series

Although I was not a big fan of Lebbonâs previous two installments in his Assassinâs series â âDead Manâs Handâ and âPieces of Hate,â collected together in the recent Tor novella, Pieces of Hate (reviewed here) â there were enough interesting ideas in Pieces of Hate to keep me curious enough to see what comes next. Maybe it was because I had enough of the background story, or perhaps because I went in expecting there to be zilch in the way of resolution regarding Gabriel and his battles against the entity known as Temple, but I found A Whisper of Southern Lights to be much more satisfying.

Gabriel and Temple are basically immortals, and their personal battles have allowed Lebbon to play in some interesting settings. Weâve gotten a weird western and a bit of high seas pirating adventure, and now Lebbon takes us to Singapore circa World War II (personal note: Lebbon teases an Antarctic expedition as another setting in their worldwide struggles through time, and Iâd pay good money to read that story, because Iâm just a sucker for stories set in that region). Both Gabriel and Temple are hunting for a man named Jack Sykes, which never bodes well for the dude unwittingly falling into the middle of their bloody, violence-fueled triangles.

I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful vacation in Singapore a while ago, so I had no trouble imagining the sweaty treks through the rain forest, and war-time is always an interesting period to explore some supernatural shenanigans. I dug those elements the most here. I fell in love almost immediately with Singapore, and hope to go back one of these day. Books set in this region at least provide enough of a mental sojourn until I can physically head there again. Itâs also a bit of a reminder that I need to seek out more Singaporean literatureâ Yeah, I know, Iâm digressing here.

A Whisper of Southern Lights is a short novella, which makes for a brisk read.

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Title: Clothed in Thunder

Subtitle: In the Shadow of the Cedar, Book 2

Author: Sheila Hollinghead

Narrator: Sarah Rogers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-28-16

Publisher: Sheila Hollinghead

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Leaving behind all they have ever known and loved, Sarah-Jane and Zeke Hunter struggle to fit into their new lives with an aunt and uncle they barely know.

Although Liza and Howard Barnett appear nice enough, could they be the reason Sarah Jane is treated as an outcast at her new school? And worst of all is Michael. His behavior leads to nothing but heartbreak.

When her former tormentor, Dan, comes back into her life claiming to have changed, can she trust him? Will Dan give her another chance at happiness?

When all around is clothed in thunder, only the shadow of the cedar drives the clouds away.

Members Reviews:

Late 1930s Alabama and the School of Hard Knocks

The second in the series, Clothed in Thunder, finds Sarah Jane (Jay) and her little brother, Zeke living with her aunt and uncle,and their mother in a mental institution following the death of their father . . . finally Jay can return to high school and hopefully a normal life . . . but hardship has followed her when she moved from Plainsville to her aunt and uncle's house . . . from her first encounter with her new teacher, Mr. Albertson, Jay felt doomed to fail in tenth grade, despite her best efforts to catch up with the other students . . . yet God used this, as He had all the other difficult circumstances in Jay's life to make her stronger, better and more compassionate . . . not to defeat her . . . many difficult issues are tackled in this well-written story . . .including mental illness and alcoholism . . . Jay continues to hold fast to her dream of becoming a veterinarian . . . great tale of faith and overcoming the odds . . . not quite as good as first in the series . . . but excellent nonetheless . . .

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Title: The Turkish Connection

Subtitle: A Birth of an Assassin Novel, Book 2

Author: Rik Stone

Narrator: Dennis Kleinman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-25-16

Publisher: Rik Stone

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Mehmet battles for daily survival in the murky Istanbul of 1951 while being forced to learn the craft of theft and violence alongside the other street children. Come evening, he curls up under a stinking jetty in a waterway off the Bosporus Strait. Desperation fills him as he yearns to break free from the life inflicted on him by his drunken, womanizing father, little knowing that his rotting body lies at the bottom of those same waters.

Adulthood comes before Mehmet finds out that it wasn't fate that had taken control when he was a boy, but a very real nemesis. But is it too late? Can he yet turn things around and get his life back?

Members Reviews:

Intense and amazing reading

After listening to the master piece Birth of an Assassin, I was looking forward to The Turkish Connection. This is a different book, and not exactly a continuation, even though it is presented as the second book in the series. The story happens in the same universe as Birth of an Assassin, but I would say that this is one complements the first novel. One of the subplots in Birth of an Assassin was about Jezs sisters sent to Turkey to work as prostitutes. We see a little bit of them here, along with other characters from book 1, but the main story is a completely unrelated one.

The main character of The Turkish Connection is Mehmet, a young boy of eight from Istanbul who is kidnapped after his father has been killed for being caught stealing some money from one of his friends. Mehmet starts a new life surviving with a band of urchins, but he has an enemy that wants him dead. The reader will go along Mehmet in the journey of his life, from becoming an orphan to the point where is is recruited by a higher cause, but he will never forget his desire for revenge.

This is again an action packed thriller that spans many years in the life of its characters. If there is something characteristic in Stones books is how time and events affect their characters, and how there is a clear evolution in the main character, causing a grave transformation that will be decisive in the main events.

We are against a complex story again, with many subplots and reading layers. We are witness to the corruption by quite different people, but there is also the need for justice, the desire for revenge, and there is even place for low passions. The characters were amazingly well written, and Stones style makes you see the characters surroundings like you were part of the main action. I definitely cared for Mehmet, and suffered a lot with the ordeals he met in his journey.

I was glad to listen to Dennis Kleinman again narrating a book written by Rik Stone. His style works perfectly for Stones stories, using a compelling tone that kept me on the edge of my seat. His characters interpretations were spot on, I just missed again some voice range variation, even when voicing female characters, which were not many this time.

This book can be read as a standalone, since it is not really a sequel to Birth of an Assassin, but the clear references will delight anyone who has read the previous book.

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Title: Second Chances

Author: Scott Craig

Narrator: Bill Nevitt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-16

Publisher: Scott Craig

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Inga Klein's life was destroyed when Adolf Hitler took over Germany. Over the next several years, the Nazis took her family, her freedom, and Fritz, her one true love. When the Allies crushed the Third Reich, they not only freed Inga from the horrors of Buchenwald but also gave her a second chance at life and love in America. But when demons from her past surface in her new life, will those second chances prove to be her opportunity for revenge?

Members Reviews:

Intriguing Premise

Inga survives Buchenwald with a lot of help from Himmler's cousin, Fritz, who she loves from childhood. Many years after the war, Inga is a successful attorney like her father was before the Nazi's took everything from them. She is presented with an opportunity to defend a man she believes is wrongly accused of murder. Can she defend a man she knows is guilty of murder and rape during the war just because she doesn't believe he committed the actual murder he was arrested for?

Much of this story is inaccurate to the time period and some of the dialogue is cringe worthy. The terms used during the more sexual parts are not terms used during the time the author is writing about. The WWII bits and the Nazi parts are more believable. I also had a hard time with the fact that all of the characters ended up in the same part of California after the war.

The narration was stilted, as others have observed, though it did get better when people were actually speaking. It did not detract from the listen or take me out of the story. It just wasn't great and did not add to the enjoyment of the listen for me. I did listen on 1.5 speed.

I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.

A Good Start

What did you like best about Second Chances? What did you like least?

I liked Mr. Nevitt's German accent. I did not like the robotic rhythm he used during the entire narration. I enjoyed most of the dialogue portions, but every time he began the narration parts he resorted back to the robotic rhythm.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I liked the history about the camps and how Jews were treated. I wanted more references. I found portions of the story to be out of place...some things that were said and situations could have better reflected the time period. Instead, there situations where I felt time warped to modern language in both relational circumstances between men/women and in dialog. I found this a little awkward and disappointing.

What aspect of Bill Nevitts performance would you have changed?

Robotic rhythm of non-dialogue portions. The characters of Fritz, Max and Inga at times was too non-chalant.

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Title: Of One Blood

Subtitle: The Potpourri Novella Series, Volume 4

Author: Anne

Narrator: Royal Jaye

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-31-16

Publisher: amazon.com/author/clariseannewesthafer-anne

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Sitting on the porch step, Jeremiah's beautiful letter still in her hand, Cecelia remembered that spring morning...when she heard the gunshot. She stood perhaps a dozen yards away. The burly, red-headed Virginian leered threateningly at Jeremiah, hand poised on his gun, "You better get out of my way, slave, or you're dead meat."

Jeremiah, assisting an old lady crossing the street, calmly answered, "I'm a free man, sir, and I'll get out of your way just as soon as I help this lady."

The gun exploded. Jeremiah fell, and the horse galloped by. Cecelia found herself running, crying out for someone to carry him onto the sidewalk...no one stirred, though there were a dozen early-morning shoppers gawking on the street. He was only a black man after all.

This is the love story of the daughter of an Italian immigrant woman and an African-American man. Their love for each other, others, and Jesus Christ fight bravely against the hatred of others and sings a victory song over racism.

Members Reviews:

Loved The Story

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review. This book really moved me. The concept of an Italian and and African American loving each other in spite of the issues they faced from an America that said bring me your tired your poor. This lets me know that love conquers all and knowing the truth that God is love helps me understand the things they had to get through. They did not let anything stand in the way of their love. God bless the author for giving us this story.

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Title: Zabawka Boga

Author: Tadeusz Biedzki

Narrator: Roch Siemianowski

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 12-29-15

Publisher: Heraclon / storybox.pl

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Powiesc sensacyjno-historyczna oparta na faktach. Znakomicie zarysowane czasy I wieku n.e., pierwszych wspólnot chrzescijan oraz krucjat w Ziemi Swietej na przelomie XII i XIII wieku.

Swietnie pokazana Jerozolima, dwór Saladyna w Damaszku, swiat templariuszy, zakony we Francji, sredniowieczna Etiopia oraz - co niezwykle ciekawe - dokladnie te same miejsca dzis. Trzyma w napieciu od pierwszej strony do rewelacyjnego finalu. Recenzenci porównuja klimat powiesci do dziela Umberto Eco "Imie rózy" i bestsellera Dana Browna - "Kod Leonarda da Vinci". Lektura obowiazkowa.

Please note: This audiobook is in Polish.

©2013 Bernardinum (P)2015 Storybox

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Title: Stalking the Shadows

Subtitle: Ancient Destiny, Book 1

Author: BJ Edwards

Narrator: Jus Sargeant

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-23-15

Publisher: BJ Edwards

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is a time of change; the land is restless, the climate harsh. Driven by fate, starvation, and fear, the last of the Neanderthals teeter on the brink of existence, perilously balancing between life and death. In a distant valley, the last clan survives, eking out a subsistence in the wilds, fighting against the elemental powers of the land.

The delicate balance is torn asunder when the new men, Homo sapiens, clash violently with the ill-equipped clan. While the Neanderthals' extinction is inevitable, they leave their mark on history: a curse of strong magic, which will force change on the tribes of new men; and a boy, Dimek, a new man raised by Neanderthals, with a destiny of his own to fulfil.

Years later, now a hunt leader, Dimek must break away from his tribe's tradition and lead his men to a new land, a land that is not cursed. Dimek, along with a shaman, warriors, and hunters, set off on a journey, a journey that will change their lives forever.

Political intrigue and epic battles abound as the lives of the gods parallel the lives of man. Divine blessings are given, divine beasts are born, and the horse is domesticated. Magic and myth collide as the gods try to hinder and help the men as they eventually find their promised land.

History and myth is made when the tribes clash and eventually come together to form a society, a society built on battle and magic, stone and wisdom.

But all is not as it should be. For somewhere, out in the wilderness, a man waits; a scarred man who is blessed by a dark god, a man who could destroy all that the tribes have created.

Members Reviews:

A wonderful story!

The book is full of fabulous descriptions of an ancient land and ancient of people. It is a story of a great battle, of brave warriers and of people who trust their Gods and nature. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading about the ancient times and to those who enjoy reading about epic scenes of battles, bravery and Gods..

Stalking the Shadows

I don't know what I was expecting, but this was not it.Jus Sargent is sometimes a good narrator but some of his voices are nerve curdling.I got half way through before deciding to give up.I was given this book by the author,narrator or publisher.

new View

This book was given to me for free for my unbiased review.

What a new look on a old story. Very imaginative and creative. The characters are very true to life feeling,character building didn't leave anything out. I really enjoyed the listen, the author went above and beyond.

The only complaint I have, and it's a small one, is at times I got lost on what was happening. Usually because I wasn't paying attention. I relisten to 5 minutes and all good.

Thanks BJ for the weeks worth of evening entertainment.

Wasn't what I thought it'd be

Would you try another book from BJ Edwards and/or Jus Sargeant?

I'd give them one more try

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Was having a hard time

How could the performance have been better?

Hard to tell the difference in characters voices.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No probably not

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

I'm better at reading...

I received this book in audio format from the author....and I absolutely loved the prologue.

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Title: The Sweetest Secret

Subtitle: Sons of Worthington, Book 4

Author: Marie Higgins

Narrator: Jaicie Kirkpatrick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-06-15

Publisher: Marie Higgins

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Tabitha Paget has a secret that society should never discover. She especially doesn't want one certain man to know because she fears it might bind them closer. Their stations in life are too far apart, and she doesn't want her heart shattered as her life has been.

Dominic Lawrence, Marquis of Hawthorne, is keeping a secret to help his clergyman cousin trap a thief. Nobody can know of Dominic's disguise when he switches places with his cousin - especially Tabitha. He's wronged her and he'll do anything to repair the damage...even pretend he's someone he's not.

Members Reviews:

Great Series

What a way to finish a series. Everything came together nicely, all the intrigue, secrets, and family loyalty came to a happy conclusion.

Heroine Wrongly Accused of Murder

The heroine was wrongly accused of murder by the hero. She has a difficult time forgiving him for the accusation. Their relationship developed during an investigation into thefts and murder.

I found mystery more engrossing than the romance which became tedious.

Lots of twists and turns

Nic tries to help his cousin, Tabitha tries to ignore Nic. Someone is stealing and committing murder. What more can you ask for in a good read?

Five Stars

Another great series, love the aristocratic duties and twist of fate. The Brothers are true gentlemen

Five Stars

Gr8 read

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Title: We Feared to Fly

Subtitle: Book I of The Queen's Musketeers Series

Author: R.A. Steffan

Narrator: Gwendolyn Druyor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-15

Publisher: R. A. Steffan

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Paris, 1627.

Ravaged by a new outbreak of the Black Death, France is ripe for civil unrest and rebellion. When Louis XIII's younger brother marches on the palace at the head of an army backed by the country's enemies, the king and his wife, Anne of Austria, are driven into exile and hiding.

Four years later a young man from Gascony flees north after losing his entire family to the plague and his land to armed peasants. Hungry and desperate, he finds himself falling in with three most unusual men and their even more unusual friends.

All is not as it seems, however. What sort of intrigue has young Charles d'Artagnan stumbled upon?

Author's note: This book contains graphic depictions of sex and violence and includes descriptions of self-injury with religious connotations. It is intended for adult listeners.

We Feared to Fly contains bonus content in the form of an excerpt from the next book in the series, No Haven Beckons.

Based on the D'Artagnan romances by Alexandre Dumas.

Members Reviews:

A fun listen

It's good to find Steffan's Musketeers series make it here. (It's the sort of book where there's a bit of swashbuckling, and a lot of historical detail on horse-shoing or medical treatments and whatnot, and a bit of fairly graphic smut.) This entry is on the short side, and sets the stage and the players, with a minor emotional arc from d'Artagnan's point of view (he's not dealing at all well, emotionally, with the loss of his family and land. Later books get more involved with strategic manoevring and character development.

As an alternate retelling of Dumas' book - the historical detail, re: the effects of the plague on the country, is really solidly worked out; the characters come across as a little nicer (but that happens in most adaptations).

One precious, glorious element is that in this universe Milady and Athos remained married, and seeing their relationship play out - a little stormy but basically happy - is really fun. And Milady gets some nice showboat moments as well, let's not forget that.